Remembering Trident plane crash victims, 42 years on

A memorial service was held at the site of a plane crash in Staines in 1972 that killed 118 people

The 42nd anniversary of England's worst air crash was marked on Wednesday with two memorial services to remember the 118 people who lost their lives in the Staines disaster.

The Trident G-ARPI, known by its call sign of Papa India, crashed on June 18 in 1972 at 4.11pm, on what is now the memorial grounds at Moormede recreation ground.

The plane had taken off from nearby Heathrow Airport just two-and-a-half minutes earlier and was scheduled to fly to Brussels.

It stalled and came down in Staines, killing everyone on board.

A memorial was held at the crash site on Wednesday morning followed by a service at St Mary's Church in Vicarage Road.

The mayor of Spelthorne, Councillor Suzie Webb, British Airways captain Tim Steeds and nurse Francis Casltledene MBE - one of the first people at the scene following the disaster - were among those present.

'Moving and emotional'

Michael Burley, the vicar of Staines, led proceedings for the first time since taking over from Father Rod Cosh, who had been at St Mary's since 2000 and was one of the main organisers behind the remembrance services.

Since 2004, with the support of British Airways and former councillor John O'Hara, the church has held an annual memorial on the anniversary of the crash.

Hymns were sung by youngsters from Staines Prep School.

Father Burley said: "This is the first time I've been involved in the service as I only came to the parish eight months ago.

"It was incredibly moving and what really stood out for me was reading out the names of the 118 people who died, there were quite a number of children. It was an emotional service.

"The children from Staines Prep School were there and their singing was superb and it was a privilege to have dignitaries from Belgium there too.

"We also had a first responder at the site and we have always been so grateful to the council which has always supported the service.

"It is important as it is one of the biggest events in Staines in the past 50 years."

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She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.